Stevens urges outreach to adversarial outlets; Sidahmed pledges access

Okay, well, I want to just uplift that.

You should definitely reach out to the New York Coalition of Ethnic Community Media because, you know, they feel like they haven't been a part of these conversations.

And I do think that we want to make sure that we have a diverse group, even if they might seem adversary, because the media's job is to push government and hold us accountable.

And so making sure that we are reaching out to all of those who might not necessarily be as friendly, because that's what the media is supposed to do, hold us accountable.

I really appreciate you raising that, Council Member, and I just want to be super clear.

I was a reporter, so I have a lot of respect for reporters who are adversarial, and I have no issues with meeting with reporters who are adversarial in any way.

So I'm more than happy to meet with publishers.

If I could reach out to your office and be connected to them, I would love to do that.

And to the Council Member's previous questions, I really...

do want to make clear that people's coverage of the administration in no way impacts their relationship to this office.

Yeah, I just want to be clear.

Like, I'm an elected official.

I want the people to hold me accountable.

That's...

If everyone is just saying I'm doing a great job,

I'm scared because you're not pushing my thinking.

And so we need media to make sure that they are actually a check on us and being the voice of the community in the same way I'm the voice of the community.

And so wanting to make sure that everyone has a chance and opportunity, even if they may seem adversarial.

Because, again, like I talk to everyone, even when I don't want to, but we should be talking to everyone.

And that's the media's job.

So I just wanted to make sure that that was taken into consideration.

So thank you.

Thank you, Council Member.